ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet approves waiver of Penal Interest on Government Loans advanced to Paradip Port Trust
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for waiving of Penal Interest on Government Loans to Paradip Port Trust  as per following:
- Waiver of penal interest amounting to Rs.1076.59 crore in respect of PPT as on 31.03.2017 and further accruals thereon till date of approval of waiver.
- PPT to pay penalty @ 0.25% of Penal Interest as on the date of approval of waiver of penal Interest.
- PPT to start the re-payment of outstanding principal of Rs. 387.74 crore and outstanding interest as on date of approval of the waiver and the re-payment to be completed in two instalments in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Background:
Paradip Port Trust  had availed Rs.642.69 crore of loan under different heads at different points of time beginning from 1967 to 2002 to finance its various infrastructure projects. Each loan was to be repaid in 20 yearly installments with a five year moratorium period. PPT was incurring losses upto the year 1987-88 and there was huge deficit in revenue account due to insufficient cargo. As a result of which PPT could not start its repayment as per schedule. As on 31.03.2017, PPT has a total loan liability of Rs. 1743.69 crore .
Further, the Port has a future fund requirement of around Rs.6,695 crore for different upcoming developmental projects and employees’ pension liabilities upto 2018-19. Therefore, the Port is not in a position to repay the total loan liability of Rs.1,743.69 crore.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Indian visa or stay stipulation period of foreign nationals stranded in India due to COVID-19 pandemic to be considered as deemed to be valid till 30.09.2021
Due to the situation arising out of COVID-19 pandemic, a number of foreigners who had come to India on various types of visas prior to March, 2020 got stranded in the country in the absence of flights to their destinations. The Central Government had facilitated the stay of such foreign nationals within India by giving deemed extension of their regular visa or e-visa or stay stipulation period on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty. This facility which is presently available till August 31, 2021 has now been extended by the Central Government till September 30, 2021. Such foreign nationals will not be required to submit any application to the FRRO/FRO concerned for extension of their visas till September 30, 2021. Before exiting the country, they may apply online for an exit permission on e-FRRO portal, which would be granted by the FRRO/FRO concerned on gratis basis without levy of any overstay penalty.
If an extension of visa is required beyond September 30, 2021, the foreign national concerned may apply for extension of visa on the online e-FRRO platform on payment basis, which would be considered by the FRRO/FRO concerned, subject to the eligibility as per the extant guidelines.
However, Afghan nationals already in India on any category of visa will be granted extension of visa under guidelines issued separately for Afghan nationals.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
37.21 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India reports 42,766 new cases in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently at 4,55,033
Active cases constitute 1.48% of total cases
2,99,33,538 Total Recoveries across the country so far
45,254 patients recovered during last 24 hours
Recovery Rate increases to 97.20%
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.34%
Daily positivity rate at 2.19%, less than 3% for 19 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 42.90 cr tests total conducted
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Combating Sea Erosion and protection of India’s coastal areas and coastal communities
The Government is committed for taking proactive steps in combating sea erosion and protection of India’s coastal areas and coastal communities. Some of the measures taken are as follows:
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change  has notified Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019 with a view to conserve and protect coastal stretches, marine areas and to ensure livelihood security to the fisherand other local communities. As per CRZ notification, 2019, certain coastal areas were declared as coastal regulation zone, wherein setting up of industries and expansion of industries are prohibited activities and other developmental activities/projects are regulated/ permitted as per provisions of the said notification. The notification also provides for ‘No Development Zones’  along various categories of coastal areas to protect India’s coastline from encroachment, erosion and accretion.
- MoEFCC has delineated the hazard line for the entire coast of the country. The hazard line is indicative of the shoreline changes, including sea level rise due to climate change. This line is to be used by agencies in Coastal States as a tool for Disaster Management including planning of adaptive and mitigation measures. The hazard line features in the new Coastal Zone Management Plans of the coastal States / Union territories approved by the MoEFCC.
- A national strategy for coastal protection along with guidelines has been framed for all Coastal States and Union Territories by MoEFCC.
- The Flood Management scheme of Ministry of Jal Shakti, including anti-sea erosion schemes, are planned and executed by the State Governments with their own resources as per priorities of States.Union Government renders assistance to states which is technical, advisory, catalytic and promotional in nature.
- Considering the importance of collection of data on coastal processes towards coastal protection measures, a new component "Coastal Management Information System " was initiated under the Central Sector Plan Scheme "Development of Water Resources Information System". CMIS is a data collection activity carried out to collect near shore coastal data which can be used in planning, design, construction and maintenance of site specific coastal protection structures at vulnerable Coastal stretches. Establishment of three sites each in the State of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and union territory of Puduchery has been completed.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Status of improvement and upgradation of National Highways in North Sikkim
The present status of improvement, upgradation and widening along with the cost of the project and implementing agencies for National Highway  in North Sikkim which shares international borders with China is annexed at Annexure ‘ A’.
Annexure-A
ANNEXURE REGARDING NORTH SIKKIM NATIONAL HIGHWAY
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SL No.
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Name of Work
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Status
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1.
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Stage Strengthening of selected stretches between km 32+450 to km 50+680 and km 51+330 to km 58+097 of Gangtok Mangan section of NH -310 A
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- Physical Progress: 53.7%
- Date of Commencement: 01/10/2020
- Date of Completion:30/09/2022
- Implementing Agency: State PWD
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2.
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Stage Strengthening of selected stretches between km 0+000 to km 32+000, length 11.490 km of Gangtok Mangan section of NH – 310 A
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- Physical Progress:42%
- Date of
- Commencement: 03/03/2021
- Date of Completion: 30/09/2022
- Implementing Agency: State PWD
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3.
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Widening to 2 lane with paved shoulder from Gangtok to Mangan of NH-310 A
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DPR for widening to 2 lane with paved shoulder from Gangtok to Mangan is yet to be awarded. The Cost will be finalized after preparation of DPR. State PWD is the implementing agency.
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4.
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Mangan – Kodyong – Chungthang – Lachung Yumthang-Yume – Samdong - Border (NH-
310A) for total design length of 106 Km.
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These National Highways are proposed to be developed from SL specification to NHDL specification with Paved Shoulder. The preparation of DPR for both the Highways are in very advanced stage. The tendering action for a design length of 27.476 km for PackageI is under progress. The tendering action for remaining stretch is delayed mainly due to pending Statutory Clearances like Land Acquisition, Forest Clearances, Wildlife etc. as the road in these stretch passes through Eco-Sensitive zone and Protected Area of Kanchenjunga National Park and Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary. Total Capital outlay for upgradation/development of 222 Km Highway in North Sikkim  as per DPR is Rs.5486 Crs. Border Road Organisation  is the implementing agency.
This information was given by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
MJPS
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Department of Space
New Space India Limited
The Union Government has already set up New Space India Limited , a wholly owned Government of India undertaking/ Central Public Sector Enterprise , under the administrative control of Department of Space  on 06th March 2019 to commercially exploit the research and development work of Indian Space Research Organisation  Centres and constituent units of DOS.
NSIL has been incorporated to carry out the following roles and functions as part of its madate viz.  Small Satellite technology transfer to industry, wherein NSIL will obtain license from DOS/ISRO and sub-license it to Industries;  Manufacture of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle  in collaboration with Private Sector;  Productionisation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle  through Indian Industry;  Productionisation and marketing of Space based products and services, including launch and application;  Transfer of technology developed by ISRO Centres and constituent units of DOS;  Marketing spin-off technologies and products/services, both in India and abroad; and  any other subject which Government of India deems fit.
NSIL was set up to meet the ever-increasing demands of Indian space programme and to commercially exploit the emerging global space market. The emergence of NSIL would spur the growth of Indian industries in the space sector and enable Indian industries to scale up manufacturing and production base.
A total of 239 satellites were commercially launched by Antrix Corporation Limited during the last three years.
The total revenue from operations during the last three years is Rs 6289.05 Crores.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Meet flags gender disparities in use of intellectual property system
‘Women only represent 6.6% of science researchers in India’
Kochi: A webinar on women and intellectual property  organised by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute  has shed light on gender disparities existing in each stage of the innovation process and gaps in the use of the IP system by women. Recognising the lack of acceptance as a major constraint being faced by women professionals especially in the private sector, the meet proposed proper understanding of gender imbalances in the area of scientific research.
Organised by CMFRI’s Institute Technology Management Unit  and Women Cell, the webinar suggested encouraging women to study and work in research and academic fields.
Citing the data of the World Intellectual Property Organisation , Prof. Lisa P Lukose of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi said that in 2022, only 16.2% of inventors named in international patent applications were women. In India, women only represent 6.6% of science researchers, which is much lower than that of advanced countries, she added.
The role of IP in biotechnology innovations in industry and academia, patent law and different forms of IP were discussed in the webinar. Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director of the CMFRI presided.
Dr Athira P S Nair, Assistant Professor at National University of Advanced Legal Studies  and Arati Ashok, Assistant Professor at the Cochin University of Science and Technology  also presented papers. Dr Kajal Chakraborty, Dr Miriam Paul Sreeram, Dr C Ramachandran and Dr Sandhya Sukumaran spoke at the event.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Welfare Schemes for Beggars and Transgenders
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched an umbrella scheme “SMILE - Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” on 12.02.2022, which includes two sub-schemes - ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’ and ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’.
This SMILE scheme covers several comprehensive measures including welfare measures for both transgender persons and persons who are engaged in the act of begging with focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counseling, education, skill development, economic linkages etc with the support of State Governments/UTs/Local Urban Bodies, Voluntary Organizations, Community Based Organizations  and institutions and others.
This information was given by the Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment Shri A. Narayanaswamy in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
President's Secretariat
President Hosts President of Myanmar; Says Myanmar Stands at the Confluence of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East Policy’
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, received His Excellency U Win Myint, the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today . He also hosted a banquet in his honour.
Welcoming President Myint on his first ever visit to India, the President said that India attaches the highest priority to its partnership with Myanmar. Myanmar stands at the confluence of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East policy’. India-Myanmar partnership is at the heart of India’s vision to create a connected and cooperative neighbourhood.
The President said that a peaceful, united, federal, democratic and prosperous Myanmar is in India’s core national interest. India wishes to expand its partnership with Myanmar in key dimensions like energy, transportation, digital connectivity, tourism and heritage management. India is ready to provide more assistance, including developing training centres and new socio-economic infrastructure in rural areas.
The President said that India appreciates Myanmar’s assurances that Myanmar would not allow groups that are inimical to India’s interests to operate from its territory. India also appreciates the enhanced coordination and cooperation from the Myanmar Army in maintaining the security of our borders.
Subsequently, in his banquet speech, President Kovind said that to foster sustainable peace, we must ensure a peace dividend through prosperity. Connectivity is already expanding, through the building of roads, use of waterways, upgradation of ports and increase of bilateral air services. We need to widen such connectivity to include energy as well.
Click here to see the President's speech
UPSC
National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam. , 2018 - declaration of Final Result thereof.
The following is list, in order of merit of 520 candidates, who have qualified on the basis of the results of the Written Examination held by Union Public Service Commission in 9th September, 2018 and the subsequent Interviews held by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of National Defence Academy for the 142nd Course and Naval Academy for the 104th Indian Naval Academy Course  commencing from 2nd July, 2019. For detailed information regarding the date of commencement of the above courses, please visit the websites of Ministry of Defence i.e www.joinindianarmy.nic.in, www.nausena-bharti.nic.in and www.careerairforce.nic.in.
The results of Medical Examination have not been taken into account in preparing these lists.
The candidature of all the candidates is provisional, subject to their submitting the requisite certificates in support of date of birth and educational qualifications etc. claimed by them directly to the Additional Directorate General of Recruiting, Adjutant General’s Branch, Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence , West Block No. III, Wing-1, R. K. Puram, New Delhi-110066 wherever this has not already been done and not to U.P.S.C.
In case, there is any change of address, the candidates are advised to promptly intimate directly to the Army Headquarters at the address given above.
The result is also available on the UPSC Website at http:// www.upsc.gov.in. Marks of the candidates will be available on the Website after 15 days from the date of declaration of final results.
For any further information, the candidates may contact Facilitation Counter near Gate ‘C’ of the Commission, either in person or on telephone Nos.011-23385271/ 011-23381125/011-23098543 between 10:00 Hours to 17:00 hours on any working day.
Click here for full list
Ministry of Home Affairs
India to co-chair Consultative Group  of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery 
India is unanimously chosen as co-chair of the Consultative Group  of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery  for the fiscal year 2020. The decision was taken during the CG meeting of GFDRR held in Geneva, Switzerland today, on the margins of the 6th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction  2019. The CG Meeting was co-chaired by Africa Caribbean and Pacific  Group of States, the European Union  and World Bank. Additionally, GFDRR in cooperation with the UNDRR and the EU is also organizing the 4th edition of World Reconstruction Conference  on May 13-14, 2019.
GFDRR is a global partnership that helps developing countries better understand and reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change. GFDRR is a grant-funding mechanism, managed by the World Bank, that supports disaster risk management projects worldwide. It is presently working on the ground with over 400 local, national, regional, and international partners and provides knowledge, funding, and technical assistance.
India became member of CG of GFDRR in 2015 and expressed its interest to co-chair in last meeting of CG held in October 2018. India’s candidature was backed by its consistent progress in disaster risk reduction  in the country and its initiative to form a coalition on disaster resilient infrastructure.
This will give the country an opportunity to work with the member countries and organizations of GFDRR with a focused contribution towards advancing the disaster risk reduction agenda during the course of the year. This is the first time that the country has been afforded the opportunity of co-chairing the CG meeting of GFDRR. India would like to pursue a focused agenda and develop synergies with ongoing work streams of GFDRR. Disaster Resilient Infrastructure  will be a central theme of engagement with the GFDRR partners and stakeholders.
The meeting of CG of GFDRR was attended by Shri Kamal Kishore, Member, NDMA and Shri Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, Joint Secretary .
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari chairs the Meeting of 9thGroup of Infrastructure,reiterates commitment to Infrastructure development giving due importance to protection of Environment and ecology
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari chaired the meeting of the 9th Group of Infrastructure Committee today to address existing inter-ministerial issues with regard to the implementation of Infrastructure projects. The Minister reiterated commitment to Infrastructure development giving due importance to protection of Environment and ecology.
Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister for Civil Aviation; Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronic and IT; Shri Bhupender Yadav, Minister for MoEF&CC, Labor & Employment; Gen  V. K. Singh , Minister of State for RT&H & Civil Aviation and Shri. Ajay Bhatt, Minister of State for Defence & Tourism participated in the meeting.
Senior Officers from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways , Ministry of Defence , Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways , Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change , Ministry of Railways , Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology , Ministry of Power , Ministry of Civil Aviation , National Highways Authority of India , National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.  and representatives from the States of Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh attended the same.
Several issues had been placed on the agenda for deliberation for expediting the progress of on-going infrastructure projects by resolving the issues related to NOCs, facilitating working permissions/approvals, ensuring land allocation/transfer and release of funds . The issues also included, pending forest and environment clearances with MoEF&CC, pending DPR approvals, issues of Logistic parks/Inter-modal station & ROB/RUB construction with M/o Railways, issue of alignment of Right of Way  policy, issue of common ducts for fiber on highways with DoT, pending working permissions with MoD among others.
A major issue raised in the meeting pertained to the outstanding forest clearances regarding highway and other infra projects. The concerned officers were directed to expedite the process for the same immediately. Land/ROW policies of Railways & MoRTH and making comprehensive guidelines for Environment and Forest clearance were also discussed at length. Minister of Railways underlined the importance of new technologies and financial models for Railways’ infrastructure enhancement and offered to work in close association with MoRTH on similar lines. He further added that he would like to examine the feasibility of working out a plan to lay the railway lines along the Highways in the already acquired land in order to make the projects viable. Shri Gadkari gave the suggestion of starting the Tree Bank like the concept of Carbon Credit.
The Ministers agreed to look into the matters raised by various agencies and resolve the same in order to expedite infrastructure projects which contribute to Nation building.
MJPS
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Ministry of Education
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan shows excellent results in Joint Entrance Examination  2019
More than 1000 Kendriya Vidyalaya Students get success in JEE  2019
The students of Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, an autonomous body under Union Ministry of Human Resource Development , have shown excellent results in Joint Entrance Examination  2019 conducted by IIT Roorkee. A data analysis of JEE  result shows that out of 6094 KV students who appeared in JEE  this year, 1019 have been declared qualified. JEE  is conducted for admission in various IITs located across the country.
The Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee  had announced JEE Advanced Result on June 14, 2019. The JEE Advanced 2019 was held on May 27, 2019. Of the total number 1,61,319 candidates who appeared in both paper one and two of the exam, 38,705 have cleared the exam.
JEE  2019 results were declared on April 29th and out of 21229 KV students appeared in JEE Mains this year, 6094 had qualified to appear in JEE Advanced 2019 examination.
As on date, there are 1205 Kendriya Vidyalayas functioning across the country with three being run in the Embassies of Tehran, Kathmandu and Moscow and catering education to over 12.75 lakh students.
It may be noted that KVS has also delivered its highest ever result in the CBSE Class 12th examination with overall pass percent 98.54 and topped the category of all institutions for the second consecutive year.